You carry Ulsted’s medallion with you and you walk back to the battlefield. For the most part your plan has worked, though a few ponies didn’t make it. The Erredians themselves crushed themselves against your front line and the ensuing swarm of magic and Pegasi tore them apart. Their casualties are more numerous, but not plentiful. Fatigue seems to have drawn the combat down, neither side capable of lifting a hoof at the other. For all their training they still can’t keep up a fight.
You stop behind their lines, Twilight amplifying your whistle. Fucking magic. You raise Ulsted’s medallion in the air proving his defeat. “Your leader has fallen my Erredian brothers. Submit or be Conquered.” A whisper runs through their ranks as the battle is brought to a halt. One by one, the barbaric soldiers get on their knees and submit to your rule. Whatever punishment you have in store, they will take. However, you have better plans for them.
“Equestria is not the foe in this conflict, and neither is my home of Erreda. We have a foe more sinister then both.” You seem to have caught their interest, both forces looking at you with curiosity. “The changelings have returned. They instigated this war for their own gain, and we fell into their trap.”
Twilight takes her place beside you, aiding you in your speech, “We cannot stand by while we fight over this fallacy of war. It is up to us to resolve this conflict.”
“Together as one, we will march forth and join forces with the armies of John and Celestia. Gather up your supplies, you move at nightfall.”
The weakened soldiers go to their respective camps and carry out your orders. The mane 6, whom were still disguised, revealed themselves to you and Shining Armor. ”Twiley, what are you doing here?”
”I’m here to help Equestria. You need all the help you can get.”
”You could get hurt, you need to head back.”
You wrap your arm around Twilight, pulling her closer to you. “We both know nothing is going to stop her from doing as she wishes.”
”Aren’t ya surprise to see us sugarcube?” You look over the armored group, all of them wondering.
“I knew it was you the minute you entered my tent. Jackal Pep, really?”
”I thought it was clever…”
“Well so did everyone else, just not me.”
”So what now? We wait for nightfall and intervene the battle between John and Celestia?”
“That’s the idea, but I’ll be moving when we’re done here. I can move faster on my own.”
”What if the changelings get you? You’ll be just another victim.”
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
”Well it’s a risk we will not stand for.” Rarity interjects.
”Yeah, we’re not going to have our newest super best friend go all alone.”
“I’ll be fine alone Pinkie.”
”I’d like to go with you,” Twilight wraps her own arms around you. She looks at you with big puppy dog eyes making you d’awww. How can you resist a face like that?
“Fine, but make sure to keep up. Stay here if you can’t.”
Shining Armor steps forward, “I’d like to go as well sir.”
“No, I need you here. The troops respect you, keep them in line.”
”And what about the Erredians?” You toss him the medallion. “As long as you carry this they’ll listen to your orders. You’re in charge now. See you there.” You and the mane 6 turn and enter the forest, heading north to the next battle.
”How long will it take to get there do you think?”
“Hard to say, three days if we stick to my pace, a week if we don’t.”
”Well what are we waiting for? Last one to reach the field loses.”
“This isn’t a game Rainbow Dash. Make sure everyone okay?”
”Fine, just don’t go too slow now.” You won’t, this is too important to take slowly. You just hope the others can keep up.
Your feet ache the further you walk, miles upon miles of land you traverse, but you have to keep going. Someone has to stop this… ”Anon we have to slow down.”
“No can do Twilight. I told you we’d have to keep pace.”
”Please. Rarity wasn’t ready for this.” Rarity? You make sure to walk even faster now that you know it’s her. ”Hey!” Twilight says irritated, “Slow down.” You finally stop and wait for everyone else. You knew this shit was going to happen.
Rarity finally reaches you limping weakly. Even that’s enough for you to express concern. “You alright?”
”I can not believe I volunteered for this little expedition. My hooves are killing me.”
“So you’re ankle isn’t broken or strained? Your feet just hurt?”
”Isn’t that enough?” You turn your back on her and continue walking. A hoofache? Really? You have more important things to worry about.
”Anon please. You have to help her.”
“And what exactly do you want me to do? Carry her?” Rarity looks at you with pleading eyes. “No, Absolutely not. Just suck it up.”
”Sugarcube, it’s for tha best.” You look back to Rarity, still silently pleading for your assistance.
”Please Anon. I’ll be quiet…”
You cut through the dense foliage holding on to Rarity with your free hand. ”Cut a bit higher dear, my mane is being ruined by all these branches.” And she said she’d be quiet. All the lies… You cut a high branch and proceed through, an uncanny stench emanating from further up. ”You really must learn to bathe more. Do you always smell this way?”
“Quiet.”
”That is no way to-“ You grab her mouth shut, looking deeper into the forest towards the scent. Twilight hushes the rest of the ponies as you set Rarity down. She squeaks when her feet touch the floor much to your dismay. You shake your head and move further in, following your nose. You keep your sword at the ready, though in this terrain it’s almost useless. Another step and you’re peering down a small cliff where the smell is coming from. You take a knee, saying a few prayers as the mane 6 come up behind you.
”By Celestia…” You hold onto Twilight, “Who did this?”
“War. Let’s keep moving.” You guide the ponies around the grave site and turn your back on those departed. They shouldn’t have seen that. The travesties of war are not for the faint of heart. The damage has been done however, nothing you can do about it now. It’s something they’ll have to live with now. Not an easy task for them.
You set up camp for the night, building a small fire for the ponies. They head off to sleep giving you some alone time. You sit down on a rocky hill lying just above the treetops giving you a perfect view of the surrounding terrain. The moon reflects off the leaves, the land morphing into a shimmering ocean, waves rolling across its waters. You would have been there by now if you had left them behind. Three days later and all you have to show for it is that you’re making some progress. Perhaps you should just leave, right now while they’re asleep.
You look down, the forms of their sleeping bodies cast against the wall. How could you leave them? It’s almost unthinkable. Wait there’s Rarity, guess you can think about it. Just a few more days and you’ll be there. Your father will be able to hang on; Celestia’s the one you’re worried about. If she’s routed, he’ll ravage this land plenty, exhausting himself as well. Chrysalis will strike then, devastating their wounded army from within. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that.
You find no solace in your dreams, nightmares plaguing you. Your brother lies dead before you, Acus at his side. ”How would you like others added to this little display?” A voice speaks to you, feminine and demanding in tone, but also weak. Rarity, then Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy… Applejack… ”Is this what you want?” Your mind is clouded, the voice seemingly coming from all directions.
“Show yourself demon?”
A maniacal giggle surrounds you, “If you care for your friends you will abandon your quest…” A large changeling steps out from the void, her green eyes glowing in the darkness.
“Chrysalis…” She’s different than you expected, almost withered as if she’d been drained.
”You wouldn’t want anything to happen to that dear Twilight now would you?” She hits you in your sweet spot, anger elevating.
“You wouldn’t dare…”
”Oh but I do.” You charge at her, thrusting your hidden blade into her chest. A warm trickle rolls down your hand. ”A-Anon?”
You look up, Twilight standing before you, your blade in her torso. “No. No no no no.” She falls limp, her blood spilt by your hands.
”Whatever happens to her will be your doing, not mine.” You fall to your knees, hugging her in her final moments.
“I’ll always be here.”
”Anon?” You stop daydreaming and come to attention, Twilight speaking to you. ”Is everything alright? You’ve haven’t said much the past few days.”
“Just thinking.” You put on a fake grin, “No need to worry.” You say that, but that’s all you’ve been doing lately. Ever since you had that dream you’ve second guessed every decision you make. It’ll be your doing. Twilight…
”I think I see them? There’s a ton of them down there!” Finally, you made it. Now to end this. Men and p0ny alike fight in the open plains below. The fallen are dragged away as not to litter the field with the dead. Neither side seems to be making any progress. You slide down the hill with the rest of the mane 6. A small circle is emptied in the middle of the battlefield except for its two combatants. One, Celestia. The other, your father King John. They’re caught in a duel, the winner likely to route the other. ”We’ll get the forces calmed down, you stop them.” That’s what you like to hear.
“Just keep them away from each other however you can.”
”Roger that Anon.” The mane 6 takes off into the fray, using their strengths to pull the two forces apart. Rarity’s continued whining was sure to keep them occupied. You dash forwards, knocking two combatants on their ass and flank. No time for apologies. Gotta Go Fast!
Carnage surrounds you as you advance forwards. Ponies are pummeled relentlessly by the Erredians, while the Erredians are mauled to pieces by the overwhelming ponies. Magic flies across the field, sending pieces of burned flesh and bone flying. A hammer passes by your head, striking a pony in the chest, blood trickling from his mouth. Fluttershy attends to him before glaring at the thrower, who backs the fuck down. Bitches don’t mess with Fluttershy.
”I don’t think this is working Anon, we need something a lot bigger to get their attention.” You pull Rainbow Dash down, escaping the oncoming axe.
“Well then. We just might need that little something extra.” She smiles getting the idea. “Care to win another 10 bits?” She dashes, hehe dash, into the air giving you an accepting wink. You throw yourself into the circle, the two rulers awaiting.
The king’s broadsword slashes through the air, Celestia blocking with her horn. She pushes into him, throwing him off balance temporarily and shooting a bolt from her horn. He barely dodges it, the soldier behind him fizzling into dust. For an old guy he certainly kept his edge. You move between them as he lunges forward. His blade clashes with yours, using your two hands to balance out the force. ”Do not interfere child.” He raises his sword to strike again, you meeting his own.
“We’re not the enemy here, this is bigger than us.”
”He will not listen to reason.”
“I’ve got this princess.” He strikes your nose with his shoulder, a line of blood running down it.
”This is between me and her. Do not make me hurt you.” You wipe away the blood, raising your sword against him.
“I won’t stand by and watch you destroy both my homes.”
Celestia stands behind you, “Listen to him.” He gazes over your sword and then to his own.
”We thrive on war Anon. You should know that better than anyone.”
“Then shift your gaze from Equestria, they are not the enemy you seek.”
”What do you mean?” Celestia chimes in curiously.
“Both of us have been played. This war is pointless.”
”Then the accusations?”
“Falsely charged. The order did not come from my father.”
”Then who caused this? I want a name,” your father demands.
“Chrysalis, queen of the changelings.”
An explosion rings out in the sky, Rainbow Dash executing her Sonic Rainboom. The soldiers gaze is turned momentarily, but they soon continue their rampage. Welp, that didn’t work. ”The changelings you say?”
“The same that attacked Equestria before. Who knows how long they’ve been planning this.” Your disheartened father shakes his head, pulling a warhorn from his belt. He blows into it, a roar cascading through the field of war bringing the Erredian troops to a complete halt.
”Stand down men.” He shouts to his troops, “This battle is over.” You give him an accepting nod, though he’s less than receptive. “A traitor’s blessing is as useless as the next’s.” Even now you’re little more than nuisance to him. You pick up your head, his second-in-command coming through the crowd. ”What is the meaning of this? Why have we halted the attack?”
”This war is over Tolwyn. Our enemy has shifted.” He looks at you angrily, drawing his sword and advancing on you. That motherfucker…
”What did this worm say? He will pay dearly for his lies.”
”At ease, I wish to speak to you.” He eyes you, turning back and walking next to the king. John wraps his hands around Tolwyn’s neck, twisting it with an audible snap, several soldiers flinching at the move. His body hits the cold earth, his foot twitching a bit. ”Death is only the beginning.” Tolwyn’s body morphs rapidly, his body contorting into that of a changeling.
Your father hmphs curiously at the development, though in a way unsurprised. ”I thought he was acting strange lately. Turns out this is why.”
“If he was a changeling who knows how many more are.”
”Their ilk could reside in both our armies.”
“Is there any way we could weed them out?”
Celestia speaks up, “After we encountered them before, Twilight made sure to research their kind. She developed a spell we could use to reveal their true forms.”
“Perfect. Twilight!” You call her name, appearing a few moments later.
”Celestia, I am glad to see you safe.”
”Likewise. Twilight, do you remember that incantation you spoke to me of? The changeling spell.”
”Of course, I completely forgot about that.”
“I think it’s time you put that spell to use.” Her excitement rivals that of Pinkie herself. She only ever got to show them to you before, but now Celestia got to see her as well. Her horn burns brightly, a fiery glow coming from it. A wave of light shoots upwards, layering the entire battlefield before disappearing in an instant.
You look around, everyp0ny the same as before. They look about questionably, doubting her abilities entirely. ”I- I’m sorry. I thought that would work.”
“Don’t worry Twilight, I’m sure it worked perfectly. Chrysalis wouldn’t be stupid enough to replace a large chunk of the army with her minions would she?” You look over to Celestia who’s nodding her head. “Right?” A wail screeches in your ears, accompanied by a series of continuous shrieks. Welp, look who’s wrong again.
Soldiers from both sides begin writhing around in pain, their fellows backing away. Their forms twist and reshape, armor loosely falling off their bodies. Their blue beady eyes gawk at the others who are frightened by their appearance. It takes them a minute to realize they’ve turned back to normal, and when they do it isn’t pretty. They immediately leap at their fellows, sinking their sharp teeth into whatever they can latch onto. You cut down one particular one who decided to make Twilight his target. He should’ve known better.
Your father blows his horn again, “TO BATTLE!” The four of you stand back to back, changelings scattered throughout the field. You slash at a few that come too close, Twilight blasting the ones who back away. Celestia and John prove to be an ample team as well, waving off a handful at a time. The rest of the army isn’t so lucky. The surprise attack left many of them off-guard. They’re being defeated from the inside-out, there’s no way they could’ve prepared for this. It won’t be long now until they’re completely overtaken.
A second horn blows, this one from the hill you arrived on. Shining Armor stands at the peak, your army meeting at his back. He hollers and charges down the hill with the army, casting his famous shield around him. It grows until it encompasses the mass of your army. It slams into the changeling horde, the regular soldiers safe from its aura. They build up on its exterior until all of them are pushed outside of its center. Now separated, Shining lower the shield, both armies meeting face to face. Now there are a group of pissed off Equestrians and Erredians ready to beat the shit out of some Changeling scum. Oh boy do they have a fight ahead of them.
Now it’s a just slaughter. The changelings had the element of surprise, but in a straight up fight… You’ve seen children put up a better fight. A blue mist sprays against your face, temporarily blinding you. Pinkie Pie steps in wiping away the blood and firing her party cannon. Applejack takes on a handful at one time, using her powerful hind legs to crack a few necks. With the forces divided, this battle is all but won.
You pull your sword free, wiping away the blood with one of Rarity’s rags. Celestia comes up behind you, putting a hoof on your shoulder. “How many casualties?”
”Too many.”
“I wish I got here sooner.”
”You would have only delayed the inevitable.” Her words are meant to reassure you, but they are tainted by the reality you face.
“Perhaps, but it’d make me feel better.” At least Shining Armor showed up to the rescue, he’s the true hero of this battle.
”Twilight’s worried about you you know.”
“She always is. Anything particular this time?”
”She thinks the war is getting to you. Apparently you haven’t been yourself lately.” Nightly visits from the changeling queen doesn’t exactly help.
“I’m fine. I’ll be better once this is all over.” You walk away, back to camp as Celestia speaks again.
”Do not underestimate her Anon. She’s more devious than you think.”
“You don’t need to tell me Princess. I figured that out already…”
Twilight’s waiting for you in your tent when you finally enter. ”Hello Anon.”
“Twilight, what did I tell you about worrying about me?”
”You talked to the princess I see.”
“Yes I did, and I want you to calm down. I’m fine.” She sits down on your bed, looking over you.
”You say that, but you don’t appear to be so. What’s bothering you?”
“Nothing. I just need some sleep.”
On second thought that’s not such a good idea. You’re not exactly looking forward to tonight’s rendezvous with royalty. ”Right there. You look… different. What are you thinking about?”
“I’m thinking that I’ve had a long day.” You sit beside her on the bed, leaning onto your back.
”Why won’t you tell me?” You sigh and shake your head.
“It’s not something I want to talk about.”
”But it’s something you should talk about.”
“Debatable at best.”
”Please, for me?”
You can’t help but sigh. She knows just what to say, “Fine, but just let me talk, no feedback alright?” She nods, listening intently. “You’re important to me Twilight, you know that. The way things are going, that may not be a good thing.” She looks saddened by this development but continues listening. “This thing we have… It’s a burden on me. It’s an exploit others can take advantage of.”
“A few days ago, I had a dream, more like a vision. I talked to Chrysalis, the queen, she showed me things. She said that whatever happens to you will be my doing. I watch you die every night. Whenever I close my eyes I don’t see my beautiful girl. I see death…” This is notably distressing to her, her arms tightening around your arm. “She’s going to use you against me, and it won’t be just a dream. It’ll be real.”
”When the time comes, you’ll make the right choice Anon.”
“You don’t know that.”
She rests her head on your chest, “Yes I do.” You rub her back with your hand, lulling her to sleep. It doesn’t take much to knock her out now that you know her tiny weak spots. She dozes on your chest, listening to your heartbeat. She has faith in you, which is more than you have for yourself. But she has it nonetheless, and you have to be strong for her. Chrysalis won’t use your love against you like a pawn.
She can have Equestria.
She can have Erreda.
She can even have you, but there’s one thing she can’t have.
And that’s Twilight…